Mandarin Essentials
Lost in the crowd? You must know “人山人海 (rénshānrénhǎi)” (Beginner)
When you think about China, you may imagine dumplings, The Great Wall, towering skyscrapers, and almost certainly the enormous crowds that can be found here! The Chinese love to get out and explore their public places and tourist attractions. Often, these places quickly become …
Show humility and learn “Zì hēi” 自黑 for “self-mockery” (Beginner)
Recently, a humorous video titled “Obama hilariously mocks own retirement in skit” gained attention in the US and also in China. What was the occasion for the humorous video and what exactly did Obama do in it? He did something that we call “自黑 (zìhēi) …
Learn the meaning behind the phrase “吃土 (chītǔ) eating dirt” (Beginner)
Jack: Eric, néng jiè diǎnr qián gěi wǒ ma? Jack: Eric, 能 借 点儿 钱 给 我 吗？ Jack: Eric, can you lend me some money? Eric: Nǐ yòu méi qián le? Eric: 你 又 没 钱 了？ Eric: You ran out of money again? …
Answer to Learn the meaning behind the phrase “吃土 (chītǔ) eating dirt” -Beginner
Correct Answer: C
Answer analysis:
吃 (chī): v. to eat 土 (tǔ): n. dirt/soil 吃土 (chītǔ): literally means “to eat dirt,” it is used to describe someone who is very poor. Why? Many people have heard of black Friday in the US, but have you …
Learn about “吉日 (jírì) lucky days”and “凶日(xiōngrì) unlucky days”
All cultures have their superstitions. The Chinese people are no different! There are many interesting beliefs involving colors, gifts, self-grooming, and especially, numbers and dates. In Chinese superstition, the number “4” is considered as unlucky because the pronunciation is similar to the word “死 (sǐ) …
Answer to What does “花花肠子 flowery intestines ” signify?-Intermediate
Correct Answer: B The phrase “花花肠子 (huāhuāchángzi)” is a folk saying that means “cunning; trickery; cunning plot.” This word originally referred to the ovaries and the fallopian tube, and was used in common speech. Now, it is mainly used as a metaphor for fraudulent schemes …
What does “花花肠子 flowery intestines” signify? (Intermediate)
Tom: Jenny, nǐ juéde Jack zhège rén zěnme yàng? Tom: Jenny, 你 觉得 Jack 这个 人 怎么样？ Tom: Jenny, what do you think of Jack? Jenny: Wǒ bú tài xǐhuan tā, tā yí dùzi de huāhuāchángzi. Jenny: 我 不 太 喜欢 他，他 一肚子的 花花肠子。 Jenny: …
The Hangzhou G20 summit: know “峰会 (fēnghuì)” to describe it
The G20 (or G-20 or Group of Twenty) is an international forum for the governments of 20 of the largest economies in the world. Each year, the G20 holds an annual “summit,”or “meeting,” to address many of the world’s economic and financial problems. Past locations …
Learn “完蛋了(wándàn le)” if you are “Over With” (Advanced)
Has your boat ever “gone under?”
We have all been in those doomed situations, sometimes.
In English, you might express this situation as being “doomed,” “in trouble,” or “in a bad spot.”
In Chinese, you can say “完蛋了 (wándàn le).” Your business is closing? The …
Learn “夺duó” for the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics
Since China’s dramatic and successful hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games “奥运会 (Aoyùnhuì),” the Chinese people have considered The Olympics as a point of pride for their country. The Beijing games, and its colorful opening ceremony, captured the attention of the world and are still …
China makes waves at 2016 Rio Olympics
1. How to say “gold medal” in Chinese? A. 金牌 (jīnpái) B. 银牌 (yínpái) C. 铜牌 (tóngpái) 2. Zuó wǎn ____ kàn Àoyùnhuì le, jīntiān kěnéng huì _____. 昨 晚 ____ 看 奥运会 了，今天 可能 会 _____。 I stayed up late last night to watch …
Answer to China Makes Waves at 2016 Rio Olympics
Correct Answers 1. A 2. B C The Summer Olympic Games in Rio are coming to an end. So far, the United State earned forty-six”金牌 (jīnpái) gold medals” and China has claimed twenty-six “金牌 (jīnpái) gold medals.” So many excellent athletes have left a deep …